December on the North Shore moves fast. There's the work Christmas party, a family lunch, New Year's Eve and, for a lot of my clients, a week at the beach or a flight somewhere warm, all inside about six weeks.
Lash extensions for the holidays are one of the easiest ways to look put-together through all of it without thinking about mascara. But the timing matters more than most people expect. Book too late and your set is still settling at the party. Book too early and it looks thin by the time you fly.
I'm Jay, and I've been doing lashes for more than 20 years from my private studio in St Ives. Every November I get the same three questions: when should I book, which set should I get, and can I swim in them? Here's how I answer each one, so your lashes for Christmas and the summer holidays last the whole season.
Key takeaways
- Book a new full set of lash extensions 3 to 7 days before your first event, so the bond has fully cured and any stray lash can be fixed.
- If you're travelling for two weeks or more, book an infill one to three days before you fly so your lashes are full for the whole trip.
- Keep lash extensions completely dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, you can shower, swim and sweat in them.
- After every swim in the ocean or a pool, rinse your lashes with fresh water, pat them dry and brush them through.
When should you book lash extensions before a holiday or party?
Book your full set 3 to 7 days before your first event. That gives the adhesive time to cure completely and gives me a window to fix any lash that sits wrong before the photos start.
Don't book the day before. Lash adhesive keeps curing for 24 to 48 hours, and in that window your lashes shouldn't get wet or steamy. A same-day set also leaves no time to correct anything.
Don't book too early, either. You naturally shed a few lashes every day, and each extension comes out with the natural lash it's attached to. From about week two or three, a set starts to look thinner, which is why I recommend an infill every two to three weeks.
In three steps, plan your holiday lashes around your first event, your departure date and your infill window. Here's how that works for the most common December plans:
- Christmas party only: book your full set 3–7 days before the party. No infill needed for the event.
- Christmas party and New Year's Eve: book your full set 3–7 days before the first party, then an infill 2–3 weeks later, before NYE.
- A beach week in Sydney: book your full set a few days before the week starts, and an infill when you're home, 2–3 weeks after the set.
- A 2-week trip overseas: new to extensions? Book a full set a few days before you fly. Already wearing a set? Book an infill 1–3 days before you fly.
- A trip of 3 weeks or more: new to extensions? Book a full set a few days before you fly. Already wearing a set? Book an infill 1–3 days before you fly.
For anything longer than about three weeks, expect your set to look sparse by the end of the trip. That's normal shedding, not a failed set. Book an infill or a fresh set for when you're back.
Book before the festive rush. Text me on 0401 797 455 with your dates and I'll plan your set and your pre-trip infill together.
The festive rush: why December fills up
December is the busiest month of my year. Everyone wants fresh lashes for the same three weeks, and my Saturday appointments go first.
The simplest fix is to book your infill at the same appointment as your full set. You'll have both dates locked in before the calendar fills, and you won't be chasing a gap the week before you fly.
Which lash set suits the holidays?
The best holiday lashes are the set that matches how you'll actually spend the season. Parties and photos suit more drama. Beach days and long trips suit something lighter that holds up to water and brushing.
Here's how my sets wear over a Sydney summer. Prices are as of November 2026.
- Classic full set ($165): best for beach holidays, long trips and a natural look. One extension per lash, so it rinses and dries easily. The least fuss on holiday.
- Glam full set ($195): best for Christmas parties and photos with a classic feel. Longer, bolder classic lashes. Slightly heavier, so brush them out after swimming.
- Hybrid full set ($230): best for party season plus a few beach days. A mix of classic and volume. Fuller, but the volume fans need a rinse and brush after salt water.
- Natural volume set ($230): best for soft fullness at events and while travelling. Light, fluffy fans. Pretty in photos, but fans can clump if left wet.
If you want the most dramatic look for NYE, I also do glam volume ($260) and full volume ($290) sets. They're beautiful for evening events. Be honest with yourself about upkeep, though: heavy volume fans clump after swimming if you don't brush them out, and they'll need an infill sooner.
My short version:
- Parties only: glam or hybrid.
- Parties and a beach week: hybrid or classic.
- A long trip: classic, booked with an infill just before you fly.
For more on how each style looks and lasts, see my guide to classic, hybrid and volume sets, or the full price list for eyelash extensions Sydney clients book with me in St Ives.
Party season lashes: Christmas functions and New Year's Eve
For evening events, a glam or hybrid set gives you definition that holds up in photos and under party lighting. If you'd normally wear strip lashes to a big night out, a full set does the same job without glue on your lid at 1am.
You'll also see "party lashes" advertised around Christmas. Party lashes are usually temporary cluster lashes applied for a few days for one event. They're a different thing from party lash extensions, which are a full set that lasts the whole season with infills. If you have three or four events across December, a full set is better value and far less fiddly.
One tip for long nights: skip oil-based makeup removers after the party, because oil breaks down lash adhesive. Use an oil-free remover, or wait and cleanse properly in the morning.
Can you swim with eyelash extensions?
Yes, you can swim with eyelash extensions once the first 24 to 48 hours have passed. The rule is simple: after every swim, rinse your lashes with fresh water, pat them dry and brush them through with a clean spoolie.
Here's what most people don't realise: water itself rarely ruins lash extensions. Rubbing your eyes, oil-based sunscreen and skipping the rinse do the damage. Clients who come back from a beach week with their lashes still full are almost always the ones who rinsed and brushed every day.
The first 24 to 48 hours
Keep your lashes completely dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. That means no swimming, no steamy showers, no sauna and no sweaty workouts. If extensions get wet before the adhesive has fully cured, the bond can weaken and you may lose lashes early.
That's why I never recommend a full set the day before a beach day. Give yourself at least two dry days.
Ocean and salt water
You can swim in the ocean with eyelash extensions. Salt water won't dissolve the bond, but salt left to dry on your lashes leaves a gritty residue that makes them stiff and tangled.
- Rinse with fresh water as soon as you're out, even if it's just a water bottle on the sand.
- Don't rub your eyes when you come out of a wave. Pat your face dry around the eyes instead.
- Brush your lashes through once they're dry so they don't set in clumps.
Pools and chlorine
You can swim in chlorine with eyelash extensions too. Chlorine can weaken lash adhesive with repeated, long exposure, so a holiday of daily pool swims needs a little more care than a quick dip.
- Rinse with fresh water straight after every swim.
- Keep your head above water where you can if you're doing laps.
- Plan for an infill a little sooner if you're in the pool every day.
Goggles and snorkelling
Goggles help keep chlorine and salt off your lashes, but tight or shallow goggles can press on them and bend them. If you're choosing the best swimming goggles for eyelash extensions, look for a deeper lens that sits clear of your lashes rather than right against them.
The same goes for snorkelling masks. Check the mask doesn't sit on your lashes before you get in the water.
Looking after your lashes on holiday
Looking after lash extensions on holiday comes down to keeping oil away from the bond and keeping your lashes clean. Summer adds three things to think about: sunscreen, humidity and sand.
- Sunscreen: most body and face sunscreens contain oil, and oil breaks down lash adhesive. Use an oil-free SPF on your face and keep it off the lash line itself. A hat and sunglasses protect the eye area better than sunscreen does anyway.
- Humidity and heat: extensions can loosen a little faster in humid, sweaty weather. Wash your lashes daily on holiday rather than every couple of days.
- Sand and dust: brush your lashes through every morning so nothing sits at the base.
What I'd pack:
- A foaming lash cleanser
- Two or three clean spoolies
- An oil-free makeup remover
- An oil-free face SPF
- Tissues or a clean towel just for your face
For the full daily cleansing routine, see my lash extension aftercare guide.
Lash lift or extensions for the holidays?
Choose extensions if you want fuller, more dramatic lashes for parties and photos. Choose a lash lift and tint if you'll be swimming every day, travelling for a long time or want no upkeep at all.
- Lash lift and tint: $130 and lasts 6 to 8 weeks. No upkeep away from home, and you can swim freely once it has set. Best for long trips, lots of water and a natural look.
- Lash extensions: from $165 for a classic full set, with an infill every 2 to 3 weeks. Needs a daily cleanse and brush, and is fine for swimming with a rinse and brush after each swim. Best for parties, photos, and more length and volume.
A lash lift before a holiday also needs a few dry days, so book it a few days before you leave rather than the day before. If you're torn, my full lash lift vs eyelash extensions comparison goes through how I decide in a consultation.
Thinking a lift suits your trip better? You can book a lash lift and tint the same way: text 0401 797 455.
What if your lashes fall out mid-trip?
Losing a few lashes a day is normal. Your natural lashes shed every day, and each extension leaves with the lash it's attached to. It doesn't mean the set has failed.
- Don't pull out loose or twisted extensions. That can take a healthy natural lash with it.
- Don't glue strip lashes over your extensions to fill gaps. Strip lash glue and removal both damage the set underneath.
- Brush through gently and leave it until you're home.
When you're back, book an infill if you're within about three weeks of your set, or a removal ($50) and fresh set if it has mostly grown out. The longer you leave it, the more an infill costs. My guide to how long eyelash extensions last explains why.
Holiday lash FAQs
How long before a holiday should I get lash extensions?
Get a full set 3 to 7 days before your first event, so the bond has cured and any lash that sits wrong can be fixed. If you're travelling for two weeks or more and already wear extensions, book an infill one to three days before you fly.
Can you swim with eyelash extensions?
Yes, once the first 24 to 48 hours have passed. Rinse your lashes with fresh water after every swim, pat them dry and brush them through so salt and chlorine don't sit on the bond.
Will lash extensions last at the beach?
Yes. A well-applied set will last a beach holiday if you rinse after swimming and keep oil-based sunscreen off the lash line. Expect normal daily shedding, and plan an infill two to three weeks after your set.
Should I get a lash lift or extensions for my holiday?
Choose extensions if you want fuller, more dramatic lashes for photos and events. Choose a lash lift and tint if you'll be swimming a lot, travelling for a long time or want almost no upkeep.
What are party lashes?
Party lashes are usually temporary cluster lashes applied for a few days for one event. They don't last like a full set of extensions, which is why a classic or glam set suits a whole party season better.
What if my lash extensions fall out on holiday?
Losing a few lashes a day is normal shedding. Don't pull loose ones out or glue strip lashes over them. Book an infill when you're home, or a removal and fresh set if the set has mostly grown out.
Book your holiday lashes in St Ives and the North Shore
Whether it's the work Christmas party, New Year's Eve or two weeks somewhere sunny, I'll plan your set around your dates so your lashes look their best when it counts. My studio is in St Ives, a short drive from Pymble, Gordon, Turramurra, Wahroonga and the rest of the Upper North Shore.
December books out quickly, so lock in your set and your infill together.
Text 0401 797 455 or call to book. There's no online booking. Just send me the set you'd like and a few days that suit you.